Negin Khatoony; Mahdi Kolahi
Abstract
The aim of this research is to gain a deep understanding of and analyze the complex, dynamic, and nonlinear behaviors of factors influencing the implementation of ecosystem restoration projects. Identifying various connections and determining the most important factors in each watershed is crucial for ...
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The aim of this research is to gain a deep understanding of and analyze the complex, dynamic, and nonlinear behaviors of factors influencing the implementation of ecosystem restoration projects. Identifying various connections and determining the most important factors in each watershed is crucial for achieving outcomes such as understanding how these factors influence one another, adopting a sustainable development approach in ecosystem restoration, fostering participatory motivation among stakeholders—particularly local beneficiaries—and recognizing communication links for maximum collective benefit. To this end, a set of related variables and system boundaries were identified. Expert opinions and input from local residents of seven villages in the Arghavan-Dareh watershed in Mashhad County, Iran, were collected through interviews, questionnaires, and field surveys. The data collected were then analyzed using SWOT and QSPM methods, with a total of 33 questionnaires reviewed. Subsequently, system dynamics modeling was employed using the Vensim tool to design and construct causal relationships, flows and stocks, and balancing, reinforcing, and equilibrium loops within a comprehensive model. The research results demonstrated that the ecosystem restoration model, in addition to empowering local communities and other stakeholders, fosters collective engagement motivation. The findings emphasize a holistic systems thinking approach. Given that one of the region's strengths and a significant source of income for local people, particularly women, is derived from medicinal plants and traditional medicine, this model aims to attract local community engagement in ecosystem restoration through holistic management. This approach focuses on preserving medicinal plants to enhance the local economy, ensure soil conservation and sustainability, restore and improve the woodland ecosystem, and foster interactive relationships and conflict management among all stakeholders.
Fatemeh Mohammadabadi; Mahdi Kolahi
Abstract
Social participation is an important factor in the social, economic and cultural development of human societies. Engagement in natural resources management also plays an important role towards sustainable development and is an important approach to achieve goals and to success in natural resource plans. ...
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Social participation is an important factor in the social, economic and cultural development of human societies. Engagement in natural resources management also plays an important role towards sustainable development and is an important approach to achieve goals and to success in natural resource plans. In this regard, this research aims to investigate factors affecting people's participation in the implemented natural resource plans by conducting a questionnaire survey in the counties of Sarakhs (the villages of Bazangan, Zalughal, and Kalateh Awaz), Torbat Jam (the villages of Musa Abad, Tamink Olya, Tamink Sofla, and Kalate Ghazi), and Kashmar (the villages of Jardavi, Baharieh, and Ghochpalang), Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. For sampling, out of 3077 households of these ten villages, 807 households were randomly selected and surveyed by cluster systematic method. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS and Amos software. Structural equations were modeled for visual and graphic design. The main indices and fitting coefficients of the model were identified. The results of the statistical tests showed that people had willingness to participate in the plans and some factors had a significant impact on public participation in the region, such as economic profitability of the plans, education, employment, social conflicts, and environmental attractions (sig <0.05). As a result, these factors should be strengthened and given more consideration for the future successful implementation of natural resource plans. Finally, identifying these factors in each region will be an important step in the success of any plan.
